Does it always seem like the grass is greener on the other side? Your neighbor travels more. Your friend has a more successful business. Your coworker just got promoted and you didn't. The lady in your local club has a chef kitchen and you want it, along with what she's cooking. Your Facebook friend just lost a lot of weight. Movie stars have more money. Blah, Blah, Blah ... tell me about it.
There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial the issue is compared to the big scheme - life. Whatever happens, never lose your own sense of self. Go out and make IT happen!
So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think about and use to move one step closer to your goal in the next week.
1. Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement. You will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.
This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around. You can make a big difference to yourself.
2. Know Your Values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals, check them against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.
The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you ever dreamed possible.
3. Know Your Needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who live their lives without realizing their dreams. Most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!
4. Know Your Passions
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm may hinder you, but they will not derail your chance to become the person you were created to be. Express yourself and open yourself up to the people who inspire you to become the very person you want to be.
5. Live From the Inside Out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For many of us, it is hard to even find the peace and quiet we want in our own home. In my case, I often just sit in a dimly lit room, listen to piano music and meditate. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.
6. Honor Your Strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify them. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.
7. Serve Others
When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.
Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within yourself and how much you want to change for the better.
Live, Love, Chat & Eat,
Kate & Crew
